unmerciful

B2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ʌnˈmɝsɪfəl/ UK /ʌnˈmɜːsɪfəl/ See IPA manual

Freq #96166

Meanings

1

adj
showing no mercy or compassion; excessively harsh

The commander was unmerciful toward anyone who broke the rules.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · showing no mercy or... merciless ruthless cruel relentless

Opposites

merciful compassionate lenient

Word family

Derived forms unmercifullyunmercifulness

Related forms mercy merciless

Etymology

From Middle English unmerciful, formed from the negative prefix un- + merciful. It literally describes someone or something lacking mercy.

Topics

Describing Qualities

External links

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